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Portuguese Phrase

Tem piscina aqui?

/tẽ piˈsi.ka aˈki/
Meaning"Is there a pool here?"
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Meaning

Literally, ‘Is there a pool here?’ It asks whether the current location (a hotel, resort, gym, etc.) has a swimming pool available for guests or members.

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When to use

Use this question when you arrive at a place and want to know if you can swim, or when you’re checking amenities before booking a stay.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Tempiscinaaqui?

1

Tem (ter) - Present tense

‘Tem’ is the third‑person singular present of the verb ‘ter’ (to have). It is used for existence questions like ‘Tem…?’ meaning ‘Is there…?’

2

Noun without article

In existential sentences Portuguese often omits the article before the noun, so ‘piscina’ appears without ‘uma’.

3

Aqui – adverb of place

‘Aqui’ means ‘here’ and follows the noun it refers to.

4

Question intonation

The sentence ends with a question mark; spoken Portuguese raises intonation on ‘aqui’.

🗨In Conversation

A

Tem piscina aqui?

Is there a pool here?

Sim, a piscina fica ao lado da sauna.

Yes, the pool is next to the sauna.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Tem piscina aqui?

    Do not use ‘tem’ for location in formal writing; prefer ‘há’.

  • Tem a piscina aqui?

    Do not add an article unless you mean a specific pool: ‘Tem a piscina aqui?’ sounds odd.

  • Tem piscina aqui?

    If you want to ask about the whole property, you can drop ‘aqui’: ‘Tem piscina?’

↔Alternatives

  • Há piscina aqui?

    Is there a pool here?

  • Existe piscina neste local?

    Is there a pool at this place?

  • Tem piscina disponível?

    Is a pool available?

pt

Cultural Tip

In Brazil and Portugal, asking about a pool is common when staying at hotels, pousadas, or beach clubs. Remember that ‘tem’ can be informal; in very formal contexts you might prefer ‘há’ (there is). Also, many establishments list pool hours, so after confirming its existence you may want to ask about opening times.